Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg Reups Through 2018

BREAKING: Open Road Films CEO Tom Ortenberg has re-upped for another four years through 2018, solidifying the distribution company. Ortenberg founded Open Road in 2011, backed by theater chains AMC and Regal. The move comes after Open Road extended its $100 million credit facility and set premium pay TV deals through Showtime and Netflix. Ortenberg’s deal was to scheduled to expire next year. “Working with AMC and Regal to establish Open Road Films — and growing the company over the past two and a half years — has been the most satisfying and exhilarating experience of my career,” Ortenberg said in a statement. “I could not be more proud of the job our team has done so far and I am looking forward to the future with great excitement.”

In Ortenberg, AMC and Regal got a savvy pro to launch a company designed to acquire and distribute wide release fare. Ortenberg previously served top posts at The Weinstein Company and Lionsgate. Open Road finds itself in an interesting position, given that one of its main wide release rivals, FilmDistrict, is being folded into Focus Features with the ascension of Peter Schlessel to take over the Universal-based prestige film label. It is unclear how that will impact competition, but even if Focus does more genre fare it gives Open Road room to breathe. Its releases have included the Liam Neeson-starrer The Grey, the Marlon Wayans comedy A Haunted House, the Steven Soderbergh-directed Side Effects; The Host; and the Ashton Kutcher-starrer Jobs, the latter of which was a service deal. Upcoming films include Machete Kills, the Jason Statham-starrer Homefront, and the 3D animated The Nut Job among others on its slate.

“We are thrilled with the job that Tom and his team have done in launching Open Road,” said Gerry Lopez, CEO of AMC and Amy Miles, CEO of Regal, in a joint statement. “We look forward to working with him for many years to come as we continue to grow the company.”

10 Comments

Arthur Marblestone • on Oct 9, 2013 12:36 pm

Very smart move by Open Road.

DistributionDood • on Oct 9, 2013 1:11 pm

Tom is 2 things that are a rarity – (1) SUPER SMART at choosing movies, distributing and marketing them and (2) a stand up guy who cares about the world. He puts his money where his mouth is and does right by a lot of people. There’s a reason people want to work with him and for him.

ThanksForTheMemories • on Oct 9, 2013 1:15 pm

Nice move AMC & Regal!

Mr Movie Buff • on Oct 9, 2013 1:19 pm

CANNOT wait for Machete Kills. Go Tom!

Gray Matter • on Oct 9, 2013 1:27 pm

Great news. Open Road is showing us the future of the film business today. Congratulations Tom!

Knownhimfor25years • on Oct 9, 2013 1:36 pm

It could not have happened to a smarter, more upstanding and nicer guy. Congratulations Tom!

GMW • on Oct 9, 2013 1:43 pm

Tom = Awesome! This is good news for an indy world in severe need of quality release options

Adrian Sexton • on Oct 9, 2013 3:25 pm

Congrats Tom – great early run!

cheers to good people • on Oct 9, 2013 9:14 pm

Great news! AMC & Regal get a gold star because Tom is one of the smartest and most loved execs in this business. CHEERS TO GOOD PEOPLE!

Leon Clarance • on Oct 10, 2013 7:14 am

It is rare to find a comments section on deadline which is a) devoid of loonies and b) unanimous in its positive feedback. In the case of Tom it is well deserved however. A genuinely decent bloke, with great taste.

I guess a) might now be incorrect but b) remains intact. Well done Tom.